Thriving Congregations

Our Goal

The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture supports faith leaders as they seek to reimagine their ministries and help their congregations thrive in a time of significant religious and social change.

Why it matters

Fewer Americans are affiliated with religions or involved in congregational life than ever before. Christian churches are no different in this regard; attendance and membership are both declining. In the face of significant political polarization, many see churches as either irrelevant to their lives and to social issues or as pawns of larger political interests.

Yet, faith leaders continue to be called to care for others in times of great need. Congregations must provide members with spiritual fulfillment, social and emotional support, community, and practical help through crises. We seek to support faith leaders in figuring out how best to meet the needs of their communities, while also caring for their own personal needs.

What is the program?

CRCC is hosting Thriving Congregations: A Series on Leadership in Long Beach, open to all faith leaders. Find details and RSVP at the link.

This series is part of Thriving Leaders, Thriving Congregations (2024-2027). Through this project, CRCC will work with the Long Beach Church Collective to provide 100 pastors from Southern California with support for their spiritual, emotional and professional lives, along with leadership and congregational development training.

CRCC previously hosted the “Reimagine (Again)” conference in 2022 and facilitated the “Reimagining Church” cohort program in 2023. During the pandemic, CRCC hosted a series of online conversations on Thriving Congregations in 2020 and 2021.

Who can participate?

Public programming, including our 2024 Leadership Series, is open to leaders and lay staff representing Southern California’s diversity of religions, Christian denominations, race and ethnicities, genders and locations.